Foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device

ABSTRACT

A foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device and method of unfolding, adjusting the height, adjusting the slant, and folding the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device includes: a seat portion; a back portion; a seat frame; a back frame comprising two rear legs; a rear horizontal cross member; two front legs; a front horizontal cross member; two linkage mechanisms; and four leg inserts. In another embodiment, a method of utilizing a seating device that is foldable, slantable, and adjustable in height includes: unfolding; adjusting the height; adjusting the slant; and folding a seating device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/868,281, filed Dec. 1, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, this application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 200720128414.8, filed in the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on Aug. 23, 2007, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of apparatus for chair related devices, and, more particularly, to a foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device that offers a user, such as a musician, a height adjustability function, a slantable seat function, as well as an easy fold and transport function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nearly all musical performances in which a musician is seated require the musician to maintain upper body erectness and a slightly anteverted posture. A posture in which the upper body's center of gravity is shifted slightly forward allows waist muscles to relax, arms to be freely extended, and arm strength to be naturally released and applied to a musical instrument. Such a posture, therefore, has the effect of enhancing a musician's performance.

Most ordinary chairs on the market, however, are not suited to use for musical performances, as they cause the body to naturally incline, resulting in the back not being straight. Where a performer cannot be seated with an anteverted posture, his or her back muscles will tire and have an immediate effect on the quality of his or her performance. Over a long period of time, a poor seating posture will even cause bodily damage.

A person's height also varies greatly from childhood until adulthood. Moreover, most musicians begin performing at an early age. Therefore, most musicians experience a change in height during their performing careers, and most musical performance classrooms and other locales need to accommodate musicians of widely varying heights. For economical reasons, some facilities do not accommodate the entire range of heights, and a child, for example, may have to perform while seated in a chair designed for adults. As a result, the child's musical skills and/or health may be adversely affected.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device, and methods of folding and unfolding, adjusting the height of, and adjusting the slant of the same. Other aspects of embodiments of the present invention include a seating device which can be adjusted to suit a wide variety of users, such as music students having different heights, or to suit a changing height of a single user. Other aspects of embodiments of the present invention include providing a seating device having a slantable seat to allow a musician to easily transfer his or her weight to a musical instrument, and also to aid in keeping a musician's back more straight. Still other aspects of embodiments of the present invention include a seating device which can easily be transported or stored, and which provides improved stability in use.

A seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a seat portion; a back portion; a seat frame; a back frame comprising two rear legs; a rear horizontal cross member; two front legs; a front horizontal cross member; two linkage mechanisms; and four leg inserts.

In one embodiment, the two front legs of the seating device are shorter than the two rear legs.

In one embodiment, the two linkage mechanisms include: a front linkage bar; a rear linkage bar; a top linkage bar; and a plurality of pins rotatably connecting the linkage bars.

In one embodiment, the back frame is bent, the back portion thereby being slanted.

In one embodiment, the back frame is bent rearward, the back portion thereby being slanted rearward with respect to the two rear legs.

In one embodiment, an angle between the seat portion and the two rear legs is approximately 86 degrees.

In one embodiment, the back portion has a recess configured to provide a gap between the back portion and the back frame such that a user can hold or carry the seating device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of utilizing a seating device that is foldable, slantable, and adjustable in height includes: unfolding; adjusting the height; adjusting the slant; and folding the seating device.

In one embodiment of a method, two front legs of the seating device are shorter than two rear legs of the seating device.

In one embodiment of a method, an angle between a seat portion of a seating device and the two rear legs is approximately 86 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, including detail views.

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a portion of a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the portion configured to provide height adjustability of the seating device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing height adjustability of the seating device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the portion of the seating device of FIG. 3 in use.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating unfolding and folding of a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram for unfolding, folding, adjusting the height, and adjusting a slant of a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, by way of illustration. As those skilled in the art would recognize, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

An embodiment of the invention provides a foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device that is simpler in construction, more universally usable and more versatile in operation than known applications of this kind.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a seating device 101 includes: a seat portion 102 configured for a user to be seated; a back portion 103 configured to support a back of the user; a seat frame 1013 connected to and supporting the seat portion 102; a back frame 1011 connected to and supporting the back portion 103, the back frame 1011 comprising two rear legs 1012, each of the rear legs 1012 being tubular and having a plurality of holes 1051 on one side; a rear horizontal cross member connecting the two rear legs 1012; two front legs 1014, each front leg 1014 being pivotably connected to the seat frame 1013, and each front leg 1014 being tubular and having a plurality of holes 1051 on one side; a front horizontal cross member connecting the two front legs 1014; two linkage mechanisms connecting the seat frame 1013, back frame 1011, rear horizontal cross member, and front horizontal cross member, the linkage mechanisms configured to allow folding and unfolding of the seating device 101; and four leg inserts 104, each configured to be inserted into one of either the two front legs 1014 or the two rear legs 1012, each of the leg inserts 104 comprising a spring mechanism 1042 with a button attached thereto, the button being configured to insert into one of the plurality of holes 1051.

In the present embodiment, the seat portion 102 has a generally rectangular or square shape and is formed of a padded fabric material in order to provide comfort to a user. Alternatively, the seat portion 102 may be of vinyl or another easily washable material, or any other suitable material for a seat. The seat portion 102 is fixedly connected to the seat frame 1013 using screws.

The back portion 103 has a generally rectangular shape and may be of a padded fabric material for comfort. The material is also easily washable. The back portion 103 has a recessed portion at its top, as shown in FIG. 1. This recessed area allows a user to put his or her hand between the back portion 103 and the back frame 1011 so that the user can hold or carry the seating device 101. The back portion 103 is fixedly connected to the back frame 1011 using screws.

The seat frame 1013 is formed of a rigid material having high strength, such as aluminum or steel. The material of the seat frame 1013 may be tubular in order to reduce the weight of the seating device 101. The seat frame 1013 is generally square or rectangular in shape and has substantially the same size as the seat portion 102.

The back frame 1011 is also formed of a rigid material having high strength, such as aluminum or steel. The material of the seat frame 1013 is tubular, and has a substantially square cross section having sides of approximately 0.875 inches (22.2 mm). The back frame 1011 has a generally rectangular shape, minus one of the short sides, the lower ends of the two longer sides forming the rear legs 1012.

The two front legs 1014 are formed of a rigid material having high strength, such as aluminum or steel. The material of the two front legs 1014 is tubular, and has a substantially square cross section having sides of approximately 0.875 inches (22.2 mm). Each of the two front legs 1014 is approximately 14 inches (356 mm) in length.

Each of the two rear legs 1012 and the two front legs 1014 has a plurality of holes 1051 on one side. The holes 1051 are equally spaced from each other and are located near the lower ends of each of the two rear legs 1012 and the two front legs 1014.

The front and rear horizontal cross members provide additional structural support to the seating device 101. Each of the cross members is formed of a rigid material having high strength, such as aluminum or steel. In the present embodiment, the cross members are formed of a substantially square tubing having a cross section substantially equal in size to that of the front and rear legs 1014, 1012.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the height adjustability feature of the seating device 101 is provided by the four leg inserts 104. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing that each leg insert 104 includes an inner tube 1041 and a spring mechanism 1042 having a button attached thereto. Each of the inner tubes 1041 is constructed from a rigid material having high strength, such as aluminum or steel. In the present embodiment, each inner tube 1041 has an approximately square cross section having sides of approximately 0.75 inches (19.1 mm) and has a length of approximately 11 inches (279 mm). The spring mechanisms 1042 are formed of a material having high fatigue strength, such as spring steel. Also, each of the spring mechanisms 1042 is sized such that when it is compressed slightly, it can be inserted inside one of the front or back legs 1014, 1012 of the seating device 101. The buttons of the spring mechanisms 1042 are formed from a material having high strength and durability, such as steel. The buttons are approximately 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) long and have a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches (6.35 mm).

FIG. 4 depicts a leg insert 104 about to be inserted into either a front leg 1014 or a rear leg 1012 having a plurality of holes 1051 spaced by a distance 105. The button of the spring mechanism 1042 is configured to be inserted into one of the plurality of holes 1051, and the spring force of the spring mechanism 1042 will hold the button in the hole 1051.

FIG. 5 illustrates a leg insert 104 having been inserted into either a front leg 1014 or a rear leg 1012, the button of the spring mechanism 1042 having been inserted into one of the plurality of holes 1051 of the leg. A height of the seating device 101 is determined by which of the plurality of holes 1051 the button of the spring mechanism 1042 of the leg insert 104 is inserted into. Additionally, by inserting two buttons into two holes 1051 of the two front legs 1014 which are at a distance not equal to that at which two buttons are inserted into two holes 1051 of the two back legs 1012, a slant of the seating device 101 can be adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present embodiment of the seating device 101 includes two linkage mechanisms (one on each side of the seating device 101) which provide for folding and unfolding of the seating device 101, as well as structural support. Each linkage mechanism includes three linkage bars 1015: (1) a front linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a forward hole near the forward end, a first rearward hole near the rearward end, and a second rearward hole between the first rearward hole and the rearward end, all of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis; (2) a rear linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a forward hole near the forward end, and a rearward hole near the rearward end, each of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis; (3) a top linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a first forward hole near the forward end, a second forward hole between the first forward hole and the forward end, and a rearward hole near the rearward end, each of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis.

The front, rear, and top linkage bars are formed from a material having high strength and durability, such as steel. Each of the linkage bars has a thickness of approximately 0.125 inches (3.18 mm) and a width of approximately 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The front linkage bar is approximately 10 inches long (254 mm). Each of the rear and top linkage bars is approximately 8 inches long (203 mm).

Each linkage mechanism also includes a plurality of pins inserted into the holes of the linkage bars. In the present embodiment, six pins are used. The pins are formed from a material having high strength and durability, such as steel. The pins are approximately 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) long and approximately 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) in diameter. Alternatively, instead of pins, any other devices suitable for rotatably connecting the linkage bars may be used, such as rivets.

In the present embodiment, the first of the six pins pivotably connects the front linkage bar at its forward hole to the front horizontal cross member. The second pin pivotably connects the rear linkage bar at its rearward hole to the rear horizontal cross member. The third pin pivotably connects the front linkage bar at its first rearward hole to the rear linkage bar at its forward hole. The fourth pin pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its second forward hole to the seat frame. The fifth pin pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its first forward hole to the front linkage bar at its second rearward hole. The sixth pin pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its rearward hole to one of the two rear legs.

In the present embodiment, the front legs are shorter than the rear legs. This embodiment is a seating device 101 having a forward-slanting seat portion 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the resulting forward-slanting orientation provides an angle of approximately 86 degrees between the seat portion 102 and the two rear legs 1012.

Also, in the present embodiment, the back frame 1011 is bent rearward such that the back portion 103 is slanted rearward with respect to the two rear legs 1012. This configuration allows a user's back to remain erect, even though the seat portion 102 is forward slanting.

FIG. 6 illustrates tasks of unfolding and folding a seating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the upper portion of FIG. 6, from left to right, a task of unfolding a seating device is depicted, such that a user could sit upon the seating device. The lower portion of FIG. 6, from right to left, illustrates a task of folding a seating device, after which the seating device could more easily be transported or stored. The steps of FIG. 6 are discussed in more detail below regarding the method shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram illustrating the utilization of a seating device that is foldable, slantable, and adjustable in height. It should be appreciated that the tasks shown in FIG. 7 are not necessarily exhaustive of the methods of using an embodiment of the invention. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the tasks shown in FIG. 7 need not be performed in any particular order, and may also be incorporated into a more comprehensive procedure or method having additional functionality not described herein.

Task 2010 of FIG. 7 is the unfolding of a seating device, as would be done prior to use of the seating device. The method of unfolding a seating device is shown in the upper portion of FIG. 6 and includes the steps of: pulling a front portion of the seating device away from a back portion of the seating device until the seating device is partially unfolded; and pushing a rearward end of a seat portion down until the seat portion has a generally horizontal orientation, as shown on the right side of FIG. 6.

Task 2020 is the folding of a seating device, such as for transporting or storing the seating device. The method of folding a seating device is shown in the lower portion of FIG. 6 and includes the steps of: pulling the rearward end of the seat portion partially up by grabbing the rearward end of the seat portion from behind the seating device; and pushing the front portion of the seating device towards the back portion of the seating device until the seat portion has a generally vertical orientation, as shown on the left side of FIG. 6.

Task 2030 of FIG. 7 is the adjusting of the height of a seating device. The height of a seating device may be adjusted by any suitable means. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, a spring mechanism 1042 can be moved through a distance 105 (see FIG. 4) inside a tubular leg of a seating device by pressing a button of the spring mechanism 1042 and pushing or pulling a leg insert in or out of the leg so that the button of the spring mechanism 1042 engages in one of a plurality of holes 1051 in the tubular leg. A height of a seating device is determined by the distance from the end of the tubular leg to the hole in which the button of the spring mechanism 1042 is engaged. Adjusting the height of a seating device per task 2030 includes adjusting each of the four leg inserts.

Task 2040 is the adjusting of the slant of a seating device. The slant of a seating device is the angle of the seat portion relative to a floor on which the seating device is resting. The slant of a seating device directly affects the posture of a user seated upon it. Task 2040 may be carried out by adjusting the height of the two front legs relative to the two back legs, or vice versa, such as by the technique discussed above with respect to task 2030. That is, by adjusting the two front legs to have a shorter length than the two back legs, the seating device will have an increased forward slant. On the other hand, increasing the lengths of the two front legs relative to the lengths of the two back legs will increase a backward slant of the seating device.

As discussed above, a method of utilizing a seating device that is foldable, slantable, and adjustable in height may include any combination or all of the tasks 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040. Moreover, the tasks can be performed in any order desired by the user. As FIG. 7 shows, in one embodiment, a seating device is unfolded first by task 2010. Then, the height and slant of the seating device may be adjusted by tasks 2030 and 2040. After use, the seating device may be folded by task 2020.

It should be appreciated from the above that the various structures and functions described herein may be incorporated into a variety of apparatuses and implemented in a variety of ways.

In view of the foregoing, some embodiments of the invention described herein generally relate to foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating devices.

While the invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A foldable, height-adjustable, and slantable seating device comprising: a seat portion configured for a user to be seated; a back portion configured to support a back of the user; a seat frame connected to and supporting the seat portion; a back frame connected to and supporting the back portion, the back frame comprising two rear legs, each of the rear legs being tubular and having a plurality of holes on one side; a rear horizontal cross member connecting the two rear legs; two front legs, each front leg being pivotably connected to the seat frame, and each front leg being tubular and having a plurality of holes on one side; a front horizontal cross member connecting the two front legs; and two linkage mechanisms connecting the seat frame, back frame, rear horizontal cross member, and front horizontal cross member, the linkage mechanisms configured to allow folding and unfolding of the seating device; and four leg inserts, each configured to be inserted into one of either the two front legs or the two rear legs, each leg insert comprising a spring mechanism with a button attached thereto, the button being configured to insert into one of the plurality of holes.
 2. The seating device according to claim 1, wherein the two front legs are shorter than the two rear legs.
 3. The seating device according to claim 1, wherein each of the two linkage mechanisms comprises: a front linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a forward hole near the forward end, a first rearward hole near the rearward end, and a second rearward hole between the first rearward hole and the rearward end, all of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis; a rear linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a forward hole near the forward end, and a rearward hole near the rearward end, each of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis; a top linkage bar having a forward end, a rearward end, a first forward hole near the forward end, a second forward hole between the first forward hole and the forward end, and a rearward hole near the rearward end, each of the holes being substantially centered on a common axis; and a plurality of pins inserted into the holes of the linkage bars, wherein: one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the front linkage bar at its forward hole to the front horizontal cross member; one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the rear linkage bar at its rearward hole to the rear horizontal cross member; one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the front linkage bar at its first rearward hole to the rear linkage bar at its forward hole; one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its second forward hole to the seat frame; one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its first forward hole to the front linkage bar at its second rearward hole; and one of the plurality of pins pivotably connects the top linkage bar at its rearward hole to one of the two rear legs.
 4. The seating device according to claim 1, wherein the back frame is bent, the back portion thereby being slanted.
 5. The seating device according to claim 4, wherein the back frame is bent rearward, the back portion thereby being slanted rearward with respect to the two rear legs.
 6. The seating device according to claim 1, wherein an angle between the seat portion and the two rear legs is approximately 86 degrees.
 7. The seating device according to claim 1, wherein the back portion has a recess configured to provide a gap between the back portion and the back frame such that the user can hold or carry the seating device.
 8. A method of utilizing a seating device that is foldable, slantable, and adjustable in height, wherein: to unfold the seating device, the method comprises: pulling a front portion of the seating device away from a back portion of the seating device until the seating device is partially unfolded; and pushing a rearward end of a seat portion down until the seat portion has a generally horizontal orientation; to adjust the height of the seating device, the method comprises: pressing a button of each of four leg inserts and pushing or pulling each leg insert in or out of each of four legs until each button engages in one of a plurality of holes in each leg, each one of the plurality of holes providing a different seating device height; to adjust the slant of the seating device, the method comprises: pressing the button of each of two leg inserts and pushing or pulling each leg insert in or out of each of two front legs or two rear legs until each button engages in one of a plurality of holes in each front or rear leg; and to fold the seating device, the method comprises: pulling the rearward end of the seat portion partially up by grabbing the rearward end of the seat portion from behind the seating device; and pushing the front portion of the seating device towards the back portion of the seating device until the seat portion has a generally vertical orientation.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the two front legs are shorter than the two rear legs.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein an angle between the seat portion and the two rear legs is approximately 86 degrees. 